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Jega, Ex-Minister, Other Northern Leaders Reject Bid To Site US, French Military Bases In Nigeria

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Jega, Ex-Minister, Other Northern Leaders Reject Bid To Site US, French Military Bases In Nigeria—-Prominent northern leaders have cautioned against allowing the United States and the French governments to relocate their military bases from the Sahel to Nigeria.

In an open letter to President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly, on Friday, the leaders said the federal government should not succumb to such pressure.

Those who signed the letter include Professor Abubakar Siddique Mohammed of the Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training (CEDDERT), Zaria; Professor Kabiru Sulaiman Chafe, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, representing the Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP), Kaduna; Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, who is a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Professor Jibrin Ibrahim from the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Abuja; Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani) of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CCISLAC) Abuja; and Y. Z. Ya’u from the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Kano.

According to the letter, the American and French governments have allegedly been aggressively lobbying Nigeria, along with other Gulf of Guinea countries, to sign new defence pacts that would allow them to redeploy their troops, expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

The signatories expressed concern that Nigeria, being the most strategically located among the Gulf of Guinea countries, may succumb to this pressure, thereby jeopardising its defence and internal security.

“The recent expulsion of French and American troops from Niger due to their perceived ineffective presence raises questions about the efficacy of hosting foreign military bases”, the citizens said in the open letter.

They also argued that the primary goal of these bases, ostensibly to combat terrorism in the Sahel, has not been achieved, as terrorism has only escalated since those camps were established.

“It is important to clearly state that there are only dangers and no gains from such military operations.

“The American operations in Niger Republic, for example, were ostensibly to pre-empt and uproot terrorists from the Sahel region. The result has so far been quite unimpressive, if not a complete failure.

“It is apparent that the presence of American troops and other intelligence personnel in Niger Republic is not serving any useful purpose. This is for the simple reason that terrorism, far from abating, has risen dramatically since the US began its operations in the region,” they said.

They also cautioned against compromising Nigeria’s sovereignty and independence for short-term strategic alliances that may have dire long-term consequences.

They added that hosting foreign troops often leads to increased prices and living costs in local areas, disproportionately affecting the lower-income population.

“Environmentally, the construction and operation of military bases can lead to significant degradation of the local environment. This includes deforestation, soil erosion, water contamination, and loss of biodiversity, which are detrimental to agricultural communities and indigenous populations. The long-term environmental damage could further hinder economic opportunities and sustainable development,” they said.

The presidency and the National Assembly have yet to make any public comments on the open letter.

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Imperfectly Awesome Conversations Summit (IAC) 4.0 set to ignite transformational dialogue on May 3, 2026

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Imperfectly Awesome Conversations Summit (IAC) 4.0 set to ignite transformational dialogue on May 3, 2026

 

The fourth edition of the Imperfectly Awesome Conversations Summit is set to take center stage on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the MUSON Centre, Lagos. Building on the growing momentum of previous editions, this year’s summit signals a deliberate and powerful shift from inspiration to activation with a structured intervention aimed at reshaping how individuals navigate identity, adversity, and personal growth in an increasingly demanding world.

 

Accordingly, IAC 4.0 is positioned as a catalytic platform designed to challenge existing narratives, provoke deeper thinking, and ultimately drive a new paradigm across leadership, personal development, and the broader communications ecosystem.

 

Convened by renowned marketing and communications leader, Omotola Bamigbaiye, the Imperfectly Awesome movement has steadily evolved from a deeply personal literary expression into a dynamic, living experience. Initially birthed through her book, Imperfectly Awesome, the initiative has, over time, transformed into an influential annual convergence where authenticity takes precedence and real-life journeys redefine success.

 

By centering the message of “being enough,” the summit challenges limiting narratives that hinder innovation, leadership, and inclusive progress. The summit will deliver two high-impact panel sessions:

  • Resilience & Tenacity — examining how individuals and organizations can sustain performance and purpose amid disruption
  • Authenticity: Embracing Your Whole Self — exploring the role of self-awareness and identity in effective leadership and lived experience

Additionally, a maiden edition of IAC awards to recognize and spotlight individuals and organizations whose journeys exemplify courage, consistency, and meaningful societal impact.

As anticipation intensifies, attention increasingly turns to the calibre of speakers confirmed for this year’s edition, these are individuals whose personal and professional trajectories reflect resilience, leadership, and transformative impact.

Leading the conversation will be Dr Segun Ogunsanya , Chairman Airtel Africa Foundation and  Mrs Godrey Ogbechie, Group Executive Director, Rain Oil Limited.  Additionally, Hon Mojisola Meranda, Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Moremi Ojudu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-West), O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Engagement and New Media,  Dr Folayinka Dania, Chief Resilience Officer for Lagos State and CEO of the Lagos State Resilience Office, Princess Sarah Sosan, Former Deputy Governor of Lagos Sate and others whose presence is expected to bring strong perspectives on governance, inclusion, and purposeful leadership. Furthermore, panelists will offer critical insights into grassroots connection, deepen discussions around adaptability, systems thinking, sustainable leadership in uncertain environments. Citizen engagement, and the power of community-driven change.

Collectively, these speakers will not only share success stories; rather, they will unpack the realities behind those successes, moments of doubt, setbacks, recalibration, and eventual triumph. Consequently, attendees will engage with narratives that are honest, unfiltered, and deeply human, thereby reinforcing the summit’s core philosophy, which is, that imperfection, when embraced, becomes a powerful driver of growth.

Moreover, the 2026 edition introduces a sharpened thematic focus centred on courage over comfort, consistency over perfection, and action over Fear. Through this lens, the summit will actively encourage participants to move beyond passive inspiration and instead adopt deliberate, actionable mindsets capable of reshaping both personal and professional trajectories.

Attendance remains open to the public and notably, participation is free.

Interested individuals are encouraged to register via the official links:

[https://luma.com/5r5s19u9](https://luma.com/5r5s19u9)

About Imperfectly Awesome Conversations

Imperfectly Awesome Conversations is a purpose-driven platform inspired by Dr. Omotola Bamigbaiye’s work and philosophy. It is dedicated to fostering authenticity, resilience, and personal transformation by creating spaces where people can share their journeys, embrace their stories, and realize their inherent worth.

IAC 4.0 is deliberately designed to:

  • Amplify underrepresented voices and lived experiences often excluded from mainstream narratives
  • Promote practical inclusion as an everyday responsibility across workplaces and communities
  • Advance mental well-being conversations by normalizing vulnerability and self-acceptance
  • Encourage actionable change, equipping attendees to translate insights into personal and professional impact

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Alpha Morgan Bank Reinforces Commitment to Education at Redeemer’s University Business School Commissioning

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Alpha Morgan Bank Reinforces Commitment to Education at Redeemer’s University Business School Commissioning

Alpha Morgan Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to education and institutional development through its support for the commissioning of the Redeemer’s University Business School.

 

The Business School was officially inaugurated by Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye, at the commissioning ceremony attended by distinguished guests including Her Excellency, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo; the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of Redeemers University, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe; the Vice Chancellor, Professor Shadrach Olufemi Akindele; and other notable dignitaries.

 

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Alpha Morgan Bank reiterated the  Bank’s commitment to supporting institutions that drive intellectual growth and national development.

 

As part of its broader focus on knowledge sharing and thought leadership, Alpha Morgan Bank will host its Economic Review Webinar in May 2026, bringing together experts to share insights on key economic trends and opportunities.

 

The Bank’s involvement reflects its continued dedication to empowering institutions and shaping the future of business and leadership in Nigeria.

 

 

Read more about Alpha Morgan Bank on www.alphamorganbank.com 

 

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